David Ayer

David Ayer (born January 18, 1968) is an accomplished American filmmaker who specializes in crime films based in Los Angeles, often focusing on gang and police corruption narratives. His illustrious career includes screenwriting credits for popular films such as Training Day (2001), The Fast and the Furious (2001), and S.W.A.T. (2003). He gained recognition as a director through his works such as Harsh Times (2005), Street Kings (2008), End of Watch (2012), Sabotage (2014), and The Beekeeper (2024). Ayer ventured into the superhero genre in 2016 with Suicide Squad from the DC Extended Universe, and the urban fantasy genre in 2017 with Bright for Netflix. He has enjoyed multiple collaborations with actor Shia LaBeouf and his friend, Cle Shaheed Sloan, who has appeared in four of his films.

Born in Champaign, Illinois, Ayer's early life was marked by a challenging upbringing in Bloomington, Minnesota, and Bethesda, Maryland. He found himself living with his cousin in South Central Los Angeles after being ejected from his parents' home as a teenager, experiences that later deeply influenced his films. Ayer didn't complete high school, opting to earn a living as a house painter before enlisting in the United States Navy as a submarine sonar technician. His military experience aboard the USS Haddo (SSN-604) significantly affected his filmmaking direction, particularly visible in his screenplay U-571, which was based on his experiences as a submariner. Ayer's later works consistently reflected his experiences and observations - Harsh Times illustrated the impact of drug use and military experience on attempts at normal life, while End of Watch offered a gripping portrayal of daily life for two South Central Los Angeles policemen.